12 Apr 2022

Botswana recognises Mozambique as a strategic partner in development, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Lemogang Kwape has said.

Speaking during the opening of the 7th Botswana-Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) ministerial session on Monday, he said Botswana was therefore committed to deepening and widening the scope of relations, particularly through economic development.

He pointed out that the two countries cooperated in areas such as agriculture, energy, defence and security, sport and culture, tourism, environment, immigration, minerals, science and technology, transport as well as trade and industry.

The JPCC, he said, accorded the two nations an opportunity to assess, review and redefine the state of their bilateral relations with a view to identify innovative and effective ways to further strengthen ‘our bonds of friendship and cement our relations, for the mutual benefit of our people’.

Dr Kwape said the COVID-19 pandemic had taught the two nations to rethink and redefine  developmental goals as well as to be strategic and aggressive in their economic revival and prosperity efforts.

He said it was pleasing that the two nations continued to encourage and promote active private sector participation in their engagements as evidenced by the three-day business forum which commenced yesterday.

“I am confident that this will add to our efforts towards advancing prospects for improved socio-economic cooperation, which is aimed at inter alia, creating more job opportunities, reducing poverty and enhancing the quality of livelihoods of our people,” the minister said.

On other issues, Dr Kwape expressed satisfaction at the progress made since the last JPCC held Maputo.

He observed that beyond bilateral cooperation, the two countries continued to work together towards advancing common positions and values at regional, continental and global levels.

Dr Kwape commended Mozambique for the leadership it continued to demonstrate in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in the region, particularly in its Cabo Delgado province.

Mozambique Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ms Veronica Dihovo said the session afforded the two nations an opportunity to assess progress made in the past two years.

She expressed pleasure over the prospects of furthering the two countries’ cooperation.

Ms Dihovo thanked Botswana for its efforts in combating terrorism and extremism in the region.ENDS